SPORTS BRIEFS

Agencies

WALES

Cardiff break bank for Caulker

Cardiff City have signed England defender Steven Caulker from Tottenham Hotspur for a club record fee on a four-year deal, the promoted Premier League side said on Wednesday. “Cardiff City can this evening confirm the club-record signing of England international Steven Caulker from Tottenham Hotspur,” a statement on the club’s Web site said. No details of the fee were revealed, but the previous club record was set when Denmark international striker Andreas Cornelius moved from FC Copenhagen for ￡7.5 million (US$11.37 million) on July 1. Caulker, 21, is the fourth signing by manager Malky Mackay since the Welsh club won promotion to the top flight in April following a 51-year absence. “I’m delighted to be here and excited for this fresh challenge,” said Caulker, who scored for England against Sweden in his only international appearance.

UNITED STATES

Roma beat MLS All-Stars

Kevin Strootman scored one goal and helped create another on Wednesday as Serie A heavyweights AS Roma beat Major League Soccer’s All-Stars 3-1. All-Stars manager Peter Vermes’ starting 11 included some of MLS’ best-known faces. Sporting Kansas City hometown players Graham Zusi, Matt Besler and Aurelien Collin were all starters, as well as the New York Red Bulls’ French star Thierry Henry and Montreal’s Italian import Marco Di Vaio. Roma opened the scoring just five minutes into the contest, when Alessandro Florenzi played a ball through to Strootman, who slotted it past goalkeeper Raul Fernandez. Vermes made several substitutions at halftime, bringing on Mike Magee, Landon Donovan, Nick Rimando and Chris Wondolowski. Roma made it 2-0 in the 47th minute when Federico Balzaretti crossed from the left for Florenzi, who powered it past Rimando. Roma stretched their lead to three in the 68th minute. US international Michael Bradley got things going with a through ball to Strootman, who moved it to Junior Tallo to finish with a tap-in. The All-Stars grabbed a consolation goal in injury-time, when Camilo sent a free-kick into the box where Los Angeles Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez nodded it home.

FRANCE

Bastia sign Romaric

Ivory Coast midfielder Romaric has joined Ligue 1 side Bastia on a free transfer, the club announced on Wednesday. Romaric, 30, joins the Corsican outfit on a one-year deal, with the option for a second, having spent last season with Real Zaragoza in Spain, following previous spells at Sevilla and Espanyol. The Ivorian returns to France where he played for three seasons with Le Mans from 2005 to 2008 and will be reunited with former boss Frederic Hantz. Romaric has been capped 44 times at international level.

RUSSIA

Kuban appoint Munteanu

Russian Premier League club Kuban Krasnodar announced on Wednesday the appointment of Romanian Dorinel Munteanu as their new head coach. The 45-year-old takes over from Igor Osinkin, named as caretaker manager following the departure of Leonid Kuchuk to Lokomotiv Moscow. Munteanu took over Saransk in December last year, but failed to save them from relegation from the top flight. Kuban, who finished fifth under Kuchuk last season to qualify for the Europa League, are currently fourth with seven points after three matches. Munteanu’s first game in charge is Sunday’s clash with league leaders Spartak Moscow.